Carol Kent - Becoming a Woman of Influence: Making a Lasting Impact on Others

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Becoming a Woman of Influence: Making a Lasting Impact on Others

Copyright 1999, 2006 by Carol Kent. All rights reserved.

A NavPress resource published in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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Cover design by The DesignWorks Group, www.thedesignworksgroup.com

Cover photo by iStock

Creative Team: Liz Heaney, Marla Kennedy, Lori Mitchell, Darla Hightower, Arvid Wallen, Pat Reinheimer

Some of the anecdotal illustrations in this book are true to life and are included with the permission of the persons involved. All other illustrations are composites of real situations, and any resemblance to people living or dead is purely coincidental.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Message: New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New InternationalVersion,NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Kent, Carol, date.

Becoming a woman of influence : making a lasting impact on others / Carol Kent.

p. cm.

ISBN 1-57683-933-8 (pbk.)

1. Christian womenReligious life. 2. Mentoring in church work. 3. Christian leadership. 4. Kent, Carol, date. I. Title.

BV4527.K448 1999

248.8'43dc21 99-40979

CIP

ISBN 978-1-57683-933-1

Build: 2021-04-21 09:17:30 EPUB 3.0

This book is lovingly dedicated to amazing women

who have made a profound difference in my life:

My mother, Pauline Afman

You led me to Jesus at an early age and always

encouraged me to live for things that mattered.

My friend, Jill Briscoe

You modeled excellence as a Christian leader

and, by example, taught me to teach the Word with authority.

My teacher, Joyce Parks

You taught me public speaking skills and

affirmed my giftedness as a communicator.

My friend, Jan Fleck

You dreamed big dreams with me when we were

in high school and later reminded me to be

faithful in the midst of suffering.

This book is about people of influence and I salute the individuals in my life who have made footsteps worth following. They made this book possible.

My husband, Gene Kent: You keep me laughing, encouraged, and balanced. Partnering with you in ministry is a personal and professional pleasure.

My administrative assistant, Laurie Dennis: You make every person who calls our office feel significantwhat a gift! Your enthusiasm for this ministry, concern for our speakers, and efficient office skills are a rare combination. My cat likes you, too!

My office assistant, Shirley Liechty: Your care for details and your compassion for people have enriched our home office team. God knew we needed you!

A project like this could never have been as effective without the stories of real-life mentors and encouragers. Many of you filled out my lengthy survey and sent outstanding tributes and illustrations of how your life has been impacted by people of influence. I wish we could have included all of them.

I salute the following people who sent extraordinary contributions that appear in this book: Julie Baker, Jayne Clark, Sherrie Eldridge, Leola Floren, Cathy Gallagher, Judy Hampton, Deborah Henry, Bernadine Johnson, Meghan McIntosh, Barbara McPhail, Kim Moore, Pastor Jay Stewart, Martha Strickland, Nan Walker, Ruth Winslow, and Kathe Wunnenberg. Your stories put heart and soul into this project.

The NavPress Publishing Group: You make me feel like a valued part of what God is doing through your publishing house. I feel supported, encouraged, and inspired by your enthusiastic response to my ideas. Thanks for being great cheerleaders!

Liz Heaney: You have a remarkable gift! Your ability to cut and paste turns ordinary chapters into works of art. Thank you for tenaciously holding a demand for excellence over my head until we got there. You are a woman of influence in my life!

The Intercessors: Every time I stand in front of an audience or write a chapter of a book, I know you are praying that God will do His supernatural work in the hearts of the listeners and the readers. Your prayers are the power behind the awesome things He is doing!

I ALMOST CALLED THIS PAGE the Foreword, but I thought you might not read it if it had such a formal title. Since your time is valuable, I want you to know from the first page how you will receive the greatest impact value from this book.

Researching and writing a book on influencing lives as Jesus did changed my approach to everyday life. I now view my daily interruptions, unexpected text messages, unanticipated calls, and casual interactions with people as potential impact momentsGod appointments that give me an opportunity to intentionally influence the lives of people who are in my path today.

There are two ways to read this book. If you are looking for inspiration, encouragement, and instruction on how to influence lives as Jesus did, you can begin with the first chapter and read straight through to the end of the book. However, if you would like the most value for your time and are willing to risk an adventure that could change your life, take a look at the Nine-Week Bible Study that begins on before you begin reading. It will give you step-by-step instructions for reading each chapter, memorizing appropriate Scripture, responding to Bible study questions, learning more about what Jesus taught about the principles discussed, and understanding how He modeled each one. It will also give you ideas for a hands-on approach to applying the principle you are studying.

The Bible study portion of this book can be used for individual or small group studies. Before you begin, ask God to make you tender to His truth and open to making definite changes in the way you respond to people. The influence this book talks about has nothing to do with selfish pride and with impressing people. It has everything to do with shaping your heart to the image of Jesus Christ and becoming a woman of influence who practices the principles He modeled. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. If God uses this material to impact your life, Id love to hear about it. Contact me at www.CarolKent.org, on Facebook, or join me on Twitter @carolkentspeaks.